New Viltrox AF 26mm F/2.8 EVO Brings Fast Pancake Design to Sony and Nikon

Viltrox has expanded its growing lineup of compact prime lenses with the new AF 26mm F/2.8 EVO. The lightweight pancake lens is designed for full-frame Sony E and Nikon Z mirrorless cameras, offering a bright aperture and autofocus in an ultra-portable package.

The new lens follows the success of the AF 28mm F/4.5 “Chip”, but adds several premium features, including a manual focus ring, aperture ring, and a faster maximum aperture.

The AF 26mm F/2.8 EVO joins the company’s EVO series, which has earned a strong reputation for combining solid optical performance with affordable pricing. It becomes the widest lens in the lineup, alongside the AF 35mm F/1.8 EVO APO, AF 55mm F/1.8 EVO APO, and AF 85mm F/2 EVO.

Compact pancake design with manual controls

Designed for everyday carry, the AF 26mm F/2.8 EVO measures just 23.8mm long and weighs only 130g, making it an ideal companion for compact full-frame cameras.

Unlike the slimmer AF 28mm F/4.5 “Chip,” the new lens includes both a manual focus ring and a physical aperture ring, giving photographers more direct control over camera settings while maintaining its slim pancake form factor.

The 26mm focal length provides a moderately wide field of view that is well suited to street photography, travel, landscapes, architecture, environmental portraits, and everyday shooting.

Optical design and autofocus

The optical design consists of eight elements in six groups, including two aspherical elements and one high-refractive-index element. Viltrox says the design delivers sharp images even when shooting wide open while minimizing distortion and maintaining natural rendering through in-camera lens corrections on compatible Sony and Nikon cameras.

Autofocus is powered by a gear-type STM motor, which is designed to provide fast, accurate, and quiet focusing for both still photography and video. The lens also supports Eye AF and subject recognition on compatible camera bodies.

With a minimum focusing distance of 0.2m, photographers can capture close-up compositions while taking advantage of the lens’s wide perspective.

Additional features include a 43mm filter thread, a magnetic front lens cap, and a lens hood that allows filters to remain attached without removing the hood. Like other recent Viltrox lenses, the AF 26mm F/2.8 EVO also includes a USB-C port for firmware updates.

Pricing and availability

The Viltrox AF 26mm F/2.8 EVO is available now for $299 through the Viltrox online store and major retailers including B&H Photo.

The lens is available in Sony E and Nikon Z mounts.

AF 26mm F2.8 EVO FE offers an expansive 81.2° angle of view; the 26mm focal length strikes a natural balance between immersive scene coverage and clear subject definition.

Credit to @影叶的光色世界#viltrox #viltrox26mmf28 #viltrox26evo #viltroxevo #photography #sony… pic.twitter.com/m6mFaYItS2

— VILTROX (@ViltroxOfficial) July 15, 2026